In the quest to maintain a profitable global supply chain, technology is just as important as human know-how. Recently, Ty Bordner, Vice President of Product Management and Solutions Consulting at Amber Road, talked to Inbound Logistics about the benefits that GTM software can offer companies today.
In some ways, GTM solutions are simply supply chain management tools with a worldwide reach. "GTM solutions manage, measure, optimize, and automate the information that supports and surrounds cross-border moves," Bordner explains.
Although many kinds of companies might benefit from GTM software, the case is more compelling for large firms with complex international operations. "Companies moving 100 shipments annually might not save too much by using a GTM solution," says Bordner. "But if they move 10,000 or 50,000 shipments annually, the software has a bigger payback potential." The value increases when more countries are involved in the supply chain, he adds.
For Bordner, the key question is the same as for any large piece of enterprise software. "It's all about requirements, and what you want to accomplish," he says. For example, if you want to enter new markets, you might concentrate heavily on export capabilities. "But if your requirement is to focus on the bottom line, you would concentrate on imports—trade agreements, duty management, and duty deferral and recovery," explains Bordner.
Whatever your requirements, be sure to do your research and select a flexible solution that works well with your supply chain. When it is time to evaluate specific vendors and products, analysts at firms such as Gartner can help. "Many consulting organizations operate global trade management practices and understand how to build an evaluation based on your requirements," Bordner notes. Companies that choose GTM solutions with care are likely to gain new benefits, and discover new opportunities.
To find out more about the benefits of GTM solutions, read the entire article: Global Trade in the Key of GTM.
Source: Inbound Logistics
